The god’s golden light continues to fade. “When the time comes, all will become clear,” he says, and then the temple’s nearly dissolved, leaving more questions than answers.
“Anteros!” Sapphire tries one last time, but it’s too late.
His form vanishes in a rain of light, the remnants of his power dispersing into the air.
Her magic reaches for me—seeking comfort—and I pull her close, crushing my lips to hers, my frost wrapping around her like a shield. This isn’t just desire and passion. It’s devotion and promise. The kind of promise I never thought I’d be capable of making—to love her with every broken piece of myself that she sees clearly, yet somehow loves anyway.
When we break apart, we’re standing in the forest of the Winter Court, behind the palace, just before sunrise. Our cosmic formalwear has transformed into an ice-blue tunic embroidered with silver thread for me, and a blue velvet gown for her. She looks devastatingly beautiful in it, as she does in anything she wears.
Ghost and Nebula are at our sides, their bodies glowing with remnants of the temple’s magic.
Nebula rubs her head against Sapphire’s leg, purring in reassurance.
Ghost stands next to me, as steadfast as ever.
“Well,” Sapphire says, breathless, her fingers still clutching my shirt. “That was intense.”
“The temple trial, or the kiss?” I ask, unable to stop my lips from curving into a smirk.
“Both, you insufferable prince.” She presses her palms against my chest and rolls her eyes, but there’s warmth there—forme.
I laugh, the sound freer than it’s been in decades. “And you love me for it,” I say, knowing now more than ever that it’s true.
Ghost nudges my leg, reminding me that we have more pressing matters than kissing my soulmate—although I’m inclined to disagree on the order of priorities.
Nebula offers a quiet growl in solidarity, earning a fond laugh from Sapphire.
“Yes, I know,” I tell Ghost, threading my fingers through his fur, relief flooding my body at the fact that he’s back where he belongs—with me. “We have work to do.”
“Next stop—making sure the Winter Court doesn’t freeze over with your father’s madness.” Sapphire steps back from me, her hand lingering in mine.
“And then,” I add, “we defeat the Night Court, and we save Zoey.”
